After a successful launch last year, Versus Arthritis has exciting news about the next evolution of their free app, “Arthritis Tracker”. Available on Android and iPhone, the symptom and wellbeing tracker can help health professionals make the most of the time they have with patients and quickly get an understanding of some the key issues that a young person is facing, leaving more time to discuss treatment options.
“The app is great – I am actively encouraging young people in my clinic to use it. It has huge potential to enhance communication between young people and health professionals, allowing us to better understand the impact arthritis is having on the young person’s life and then to treat them more effectively.”
– Dr Janet McDonagh, Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatologist, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital
Co-designed with young people, the app has a simple, easy to use interface. It lets the young person rate their daily symptoms and wellbeing, keep notes and view a summary of recent symptoms, side effects, sleep, emotions and activity levels. People using the app have told us it has helped them feel more prepared going into appointments, and better able to articulate how they’ve been over the past while.
“I felt more confident going into appointments, allowing me to be more independent.”
– Young person, Aged 17
The app also includes information and tips, real-life stories and links to online and in-person support available through Versus Arthritis. Realising that other people their age have their condition, makes a huge difference to them.
“I enjoy reading the stories of other young people, it gives me hope for the future”
– Young Person, Aged 14
With the most recent set of improvements, Versus Arthritis anticipate the app becoming even more popular, allowing young people to:
- Pinpoint where pain is more quickly with a visual body map
- Track any day in the past, so they don’t have to remember to track daily
- Back up their data to a secure online account
- Lock the app with passcode protection
To share this free tool with your patients you can –
- download a digital leaflet to share via email
- or order printed leaflets to include in letters or use in your clinic.
If you have questions or for more information go to versusarthritis.org/arthritis-tracker or get in touch by emailing apps@versusarthritis.org